The Lewes Historical Society
Collections Development Policy
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General Purpose The Lewes Historical Society will collect artifacts, imprints, archival materials, etc., more precisely described below, for educational, documentary and research purposes for the use and enjoyment of all interested parties. The strengths of the Lewes Historical Society collections have been identified as 18th and 19th century American architecture, 18th and 19th century American decorative arts, and Lewes and Delaware architectural, educational, social, commercial, religious, and maritime library and archival material. The Lewes Historical Society will conserve and make accessible all collections for viewing and research under established and accepted practices of the archival, library and museum communities. Collection BoundariesMuseum The Lewes Historical Society will collect and accept donations of museum objects that reflect the following interests, listed in order of priority: Depicting scenes in/of Delaware and its history Portraits of personalities important in Delaware history The Lewes Historical Society will not accept archaeological material of any age or origin. Library The Library of the Lewes Historical Society will collect and accept donations of books, pamphlets, serials, etc., that reflect the following interests, listed in order of priority: Sussex County history Delaware history Delaware Bay history, culture, shipping, etc. Coastal Sussex County Sussex County, Delaware, Eastern Shore, Adjacent and internal waters of each of the above Archives The Archives of the Lewes Historical Society will collect and accept donations of corporate records, sound recordings, papers, photographic materials, postcards, and other ephemera that reflect the following interests: The Lewes Historical Society may act as a records depository for Lewes corporations and organizations under a depository agreement signed by both a depositing institution's agent and the President of the Lewes Historical Society. The Lewes Historical Society will not act as a depository for financial records within the most current five year period nor personnel records within the most current ten year period. Other terms of depository arrangements (i.e, accessibility arrangements) are stated in individual agreements. Acquisition MethodsThe Lewes Historical Society will acquire artifacts, etc. by the four following means. Donation Items donated to the Lewes Historical Society without encumbrance or expectation on the part of the donor. Purchase The Society may purchase ordinary acquisitions - current library imprints, serials and periodicals - by the support of an annual budget line item. Large acquisitions - paintings, structures, furnishings, extraordinary archival and library items - will be purchased with funds from special gifts and specific funds from the Endowment set aside for the acquisition of particular pieces or aspects of the collection. Exchange When appropriate, the Executive Director/Curator will recommend that certain non-strength objects, volumes or archival materials be transferred to another institution, organization, or individual for objects, etc. that strengthen existing collections. Exchange requires an act by the Board of Directors to deaccession an object or objects. Loan The Lewes Historical Society will, from time to time, accept objects on loan for two-year cycles that may or may not be renewable due to the needs of the Society and the loaning individual/institution. The Lewes Historical Society does not accept "permanent loans." Loans may not necessarily conform to the collecting priorities described above if and only if they meet a specific temporary exhibition need. Loans may not necessarily conform to the time limits described above if and only if they meet a specific temporary exhibition need. Temporary loans will not be accepted merely for storage purposes. Accessioning The Society accepts artifacts, imprints, and archival materials with the Deed of Gift. The Executive Director will present a draft of the potential accession to the Board of Directors and at the Board's approval shall sign the Deed of Gift. Deaccessioning The Executive Director will recommend to the Board of Directors objects, etc., to be deaccessioned by the Society. The Executive Director must demonstrate that the objects do not complement the stated strengths and mission of the Society. The Society will then use only the following three courses to dispose of the objects: Sale The Society may sell at fair-market value or at auction the object with the understanding that the money earned will be used to conserve other collections or objects, or to acquire further collections that complement the strengths of the Lewes Historical Society. Transfer The Society may transfer to another appropriate institution an object, etc., in exchange for collections and/or objects that complement the strengths of the collections and mission of the Society. The Society may transfer material to an appropriate institution without receiving an object(s) in exchange. Each must be completed with the consent of the Board. Destruction In extreme cases where an object has deteriorated beyond reasonable repair by the evaluation of the Executive Director/Curator, the object may be appropriately destroyed. |